NASA launches TDRS satellite

NASA launched an unmanned Atlas V rocket carrying the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite(TDRS). It is a communication satellite to stay in touch with its space station astronauts and relay more Hubble telescope images.

This is the 11th TDRS satellite to be launched by NASA. The space agency uses the orbiting network to communicate with astronauts living on the International Space Station.

NASA needs at least 7 TDRS satellites working in orbit at any one time. This launch will make eight.